Glass Cage

Chapter 2

As the carriage glides through the winding streets, the sun dips low on the horizon, casting the city in a breathtaking palette of pink and purple hues. The colours bleed into one another, painting the sky with strokes of twilight. The air hums with the sounds of laughter, chatter, and the distant strumming of a lute, filling the cobblestone streets with a vibrant, living pulse. The rhythmic clatter of the carriage wheels echoes through the cobblestone streets, carrying Lucas and me swiftly toward Lord Theon Lightfield's mansion, where the evening's grand event awaits.

As the carriage door swings open, Lucas extends his hand, a warm smile lighting up his face. I take it without hesitation, our fingers intertwining as we step out together. We swiftly make our way to the grand entrance, to be welcomed by the staff working at the mansion. They guide us through the rooms of paintings towards the grand dining hall, where most of the guests have already arrived. My eyes scan the crowd until they lock onto a pair of piercing emerald eyes. "Raiden," I mutter, my voice barely masking the disdain curling at the edges. His emerald eyes cut through the dim light, their sharpness softened only by the wicked grin tugging at his lips. "Elyssa", his eyes widened as he looked me up and down like he was shocked. "Getting ready to find your suitor? It is about time you marry, right? Maybe I could be so kind to you and you could have me" He says with a wicked grin.

I straighten my posture, refusing to reveal the knot of tension his presence stirs within me. 'You'll see me at your side when the hells freeze over,' I retort, my words laced with the cold steel of finality as I loop my arm around Lucas, drawing strength from the simple act. "Now excuse us, we have more reputable elves to talk to. Your brother is not taken, right? Maybe I will find my way around his arm?" I smirk as I guide Lucas deeper into the room, with Raiden's presence feeling less and less as the distance furthers.

Lucas leaned in to say something, but before he could even start a tall lean elf hugged me with a warm smile.  His piercing, deep-set eyes hold a knowing gaze, the weight of years and experience evident in every glance. As I embraced him I smiled equally warmly. "Lovely to see you as always Eiran". As they release their embrace she notices he is dressed in his finest attire, a regal deep blue velvet tunic adorned with intricate silver embroidery along the cuffs and collar. The tunic is tailored to perfection, over it, he wears a long, flowing cloak made of silk, in a rich midnight blue that complements the tunic. The cloak is fastened with a silver clasp in the shape of a crescent moon, a symbol of his house.

He glanced at Lucas and then at me. 'It's about time you two arrived. Mind if I borrow my son for a while? There are some people he needs to meet". 

"Of course!". As they walked toward a group of older elves, their conversation quickly became inaudible, lost in the buzz of the grand hall. Left alone, I move closer to the fire, its warmth seeping into my skin, grounding me The flames dance, flickering with a life of their own, much like the power I have yet to fully harness. I have always been drawn to fire, the way it consumes, transforms, and creates, just as I yearn to transform the world I live in. Then, the unmistakable sound of footsteps, deliberate, powerful, draws closer. My pulse quickens. When I turn, it's Lord Theon standing there, his presence commanding as ever. Why me? The question flares in my mind as I drop into a curtsy, masking my confusion with a practiced smile." "Miss Naur, it is lovely to see you have joined tonight".

"Lord Theon Lightfield, I appreciate the invite, it is lovely to be here for Lucas".

"I actually invited you for a different reason Elyssa. It has come to my attention you are one of the most skilled young elves in wizardry in the kingdom. I was wondering if you were interested in a future using those skills? I need a skilful wizard to help the kingdom, and even outside the kingdom work"

I falter at Lord Theon's sudden offer, its promise almost too good to believe. "I doubt society will accept this, Lord Theon. To be candid, I'm surprised you'd even consider offering such an opportunity to me". I muster to say, still in disbelief, like he is making a mockery of me.